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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: 1. To undertake pre scrutiny on the report (attached at Appendix A), thus providing Scrutiny with an opportunity to contribute to this matter; 2. To authorise the Service Director Democratic Services Welsh Language & Communications to provide the comments and observations of the Committee to Cabinet, prior to their consideration of this matter at its meeting in December; 3. That subject to implementation of the model: i. Adequate resourcing is confirmed to ensure that additional responsibilities for staff across Adult Services, Libraries and Community Development are manageable; ii. A set of measurable outcomes is developed to assess whether the new approach reduces isolation, stress and burnout among unpaid carers and improves access to support; and iii. A follow up survey of unpaid carers be undertaken approximately twelve months post implementation and the findings be reported back to scrutiny.
Apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillors H Gronow and G Stacey.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct, County Borough Councillor S Bradwick declared a personal interest in respect of item 3 Public Toilets Strategy-Interim Update “I suffer with Crohn’s Disease and this is mentioned in the information associated with item 3 on the agenda”
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: 1. To undertake pre scrutiny on the report (attached at Appendix A), thus providing Scrutiny with an opportunity to contribute to this matter; 2. To authorise the Service Director Democratic Services Welsh Language & Communications to provide the comments and observations of the Committee to Cabinet, prior to their consideration of this matter at its meeting in December; 3. That subject to implementation of the model: i. Adequate resourcing is confirmed to ensure that additional responsibilities for staff across Adult Services, Libraries and Community Development are manageable; ii. A set of measurable outcomes is developed to assess whether the new approach reduces isolation, stress and burnout among unpaid carers and improves access to support; and iii. A follow up survey of unpaid carers be undertaken approximately twelve months post implementation and the findings be reported back to scrutiny.
The Principal Democratic & Scrutiny Officer presented the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services, Welsh Language & Communications explaining that the Community Services Scrutiny Committee had the opportunity to undertake pre-scrutiny of the Proposed Model of Support for Unpaid Carersahead of Cabinet’s consideration in December. The Officer added that it represented an important opportunity for the Committee to contribute to the development of a new model of support for unpaid carers in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Principal Democratic & Scrutiny Officer further advised that the proposed model has been developed following engagement in 2021 and 2024, and aligns with the Adult Services Strategy agreed by Cabinet in September 2024. A targeted consultation was carried out between August and October 2025, and the findings are now presented for Committee’s consideration. She added that the model affects a significant number of residents who provide unpaid care, many of whom are not currently accessing support. The new approach aims to improve accessibility, provide clearer pathways to statutory support, and make better use of community assets like libraries and peer support networks. The Head of Safeguarding, Care and Support, Adult Services provided further detail around the proposed new model of support for unpaid carers, highlighting the key elements of each of the levels 1-3, as set out in the diagrams within the report. She advised what each level of support will offer unpaid carers, culminating with Level 3 which refers to the statutory services the Council is responsible for, including the formal Carer Conversation (Statutory Carers Assessment) and the provision of respite for some, as part of a formal support plan. This level of provision for eligible unpaid carers will be facilitated by the Council’s Social Work Teams. The Committee recognised the importance of improving the Council’s support offer for unpaid carers and commended the inclusive approach that has been taken to develop the proposed model. Members agreed that the three-tier framework provides a logical and accessible pathway for carers, and that closer alignment between Adult Services, Community Development and Library Services represents a positive step toward a more joined up approach. However, Members also emphasised that the success of the model will depend on adequate resourcing, clear communication, and robust monitoring to ensure that outcomes for unpaid carers are genuinely improved and therefore recommended that adequate resourcing is confirmed prior to implementation to ensure that additional responsibilities for staff across Adult Services, Libraries and Community Development are manageable. The Head of Safeguarding, Care and Support, Adult Services advised that should Cabinet endorse the model, they would work alongside colleagues in the Library Service to review roles and responsibilities to enable a structured and co-ordinated approach. Members expressed concern that expanding the provision across seven community hubs and multiple library sites could place additional pressure on Adult Services, library staff, and community coordinators. The Committee therefore requested that Cabinet ensure that staffing structures, workloads, and responsibilities are reviewed and, where necessary, adjusted to reflect the increased demand. A specific request was made that a caveat be attached to the Cabinet’s decision, highlighting that the implementation of the model is dependent upon sufficient staff resources being available. Members sought assurance that carers will be able to discuss sensitive or personal matters in a private and dignified setting. While reassured by the Head of Safeguarding, Care and Support, Adult Services that private areas are available within libraries and thar staff will not be expected to hold detailed discussions at public counters, Members highlighted the importance of maintaining confidentiality and appropriate safeguarding in all interactions. Members noted that many individuals providing care do not recognise themselves as unpaid carers and therefore may not access support. It was suggested that the Council work closely with the Health Board to identify and record unpaid carers as registration stage, for example through new patient forms, and that this information be used to improve local engagement and support. The Committee emphasised the need for clear and wide-reaching communication to ensure that information reaches carers in all communities, including those who are digitally excluded. Members encouraged officers to make use of community networks, third sector partners, and local groups to raise awareness of the model and associated support available. The Head of Safeguarding, Care and Support, Adult Services agreed that there needs to be a dedicated Communications Strategy to share the information far and wide to the 2,500 identified carers and to use existing resources and spaces already available to the Council. The Director of Social Services reiterated that the Service is already working with existing resources and will continue to review the impact and numbers of residents accessing the services. He added that the intention is to realign and undertake the remodelling within existing resources but not take anything away from existing resources. Concerns were raised about access in areas without a local library facility. Members suggested that alternative Council buildings such as leisure centres or community venues could be used to provide advice sessions or drop-in opportunities. The Head of Safeguarding, Care and Support, Adult Services stressed that this is the starting point and other Council spaces are being used to provide the advice and information to the communities. Committee wished to add that Cabinet considers this flexibility in the process of implementation. Members considered it essential that the impact of the model be monitored from the outset. It was therefore recommended that a set of measurable outcomes be developed to assess whether the new approach reduces isolation, stress and burnout among unpaid carers and improves access to support. The Director of Social Services was fully supportive of this action plan being implemented, subject to Cabinet endorsing the model, to review how service users are surveyed and to build that element into the engagement with residents. Members proposed that a follow up survey of unpaid carers be undertaken approximately twelve months post implementation and the findings be reported back to scrutiny. Members welcomed the emphasis on co-production with unpaid carers and encouraged officers to continue involving carers in the shaping and review of the service as it develops but stressed that having a point of contact was essential with clear referral pathways. The Head of Safeguarding, Care and Support, Adult Services advised that staff know who to contact to ensure carers get the required and correct advice with the Director of Social Services explaining that further work will be done to review the ‘front door’ arrangements to establish how carers access the contact points. He assured Committee that this can be built into the model going forward. It was RESOLVED: 1. To undertake pre scrutiny on the report (attached at Appendix A), thus providing Scrutiny with an opportunity to contribute to this matter; 2. To authorise the Service Director Democratic Services Welsh Language & Communications to provide the comments and observations of the Committee to Cabinet, prior to their consideration of this matter at its meeting in December; 3. That subject to implementation of the model: i. Adequate resourcing is confirmed to ensure that additional responsibilities for staff across Adult Services, Libraries and Community Development are manageable; ii. A set of measurable outcomes is developed to assess whether the new approach reduces isolation, stress and burnout among unpaid carers and improves access to support; and iii. A follow up survey of unpaid carers be undertaken approximately twelve months post implementation and the findings be reported back to scrutiny.
There was no Urgent Business.
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